ZDP-189 Nakiri Black 170mm (6.7") - BLADE
Choose Handle for This Blade ➞
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✔︎ No import fees & duties - worldwide |
- Description
- Specifications
- Knife Care
- Shipping
The ZDP-189 Nakiri Black 170mm (6.7") is a high-performance vegetable knife developed in collaboration with Yoshida Hamono, blending traditional craftsmanship with advanced powder steel technology. Made from ultra-hard ZDP-189 powder steel, this blade offers exceptional edge retention and cutting power, while remaining surprisingly easy to maintain for a knife of its class. A true workhorse with the refinement of a collector’s piece.
Sold without a handle—so you can create a custom look and feel. Browse our handle selection and add our Handle Fitting Service at checkout if you’d like us to install it for you.
BLADE SHAPE:
The nakiri is a traditional Japanese vegetable knife with a flat edge and square tip—perfect for clean, straight cuts without needing to push or pull. Its deep blade and thin tip make it ideal for both fast chopping and precise work. Designed for vegetables, but versatile enough for everyday prep.
STEEL:
ZDP-189 is a high-carbon stainless powder steel with approximately 3% carbon and 20% chromium, offering exceptional edge retention and corrosion resistance. With a Rockwell hardness of 65–67 HRC, this steel allows for an extremely sharp, long-lasting edge. The steel also contains tungsten, molybdenum, and vanadium to enhance wear resistance and structural integrity.
ZDP-189 composition: C 3.00 % | Cr 20.00 % | W 0.60 % | Mo 1.40 % | V 0.10 % | Mn 0.50 % | Si 0.40 %
LAMINATION:
The steel is laminated, meaning that the core is made of very strong steel covered with an external layer of softer stainless steel - also known as warikomi clad. The softer external layer protects the core steel from external factors.
GEOMETRY:
This double-bevel nakiri has a V-edge grind and a low-profile blade shape, ideal for slicing, dicing, and chopping vegetables, fish, and meat. The geometry supports precise cuts with minimal resistance, making it versatile for both professional chefs and home cooks.
BLADE FINISH:
The kuro-uchi finish—the dark, unpolished area on the top of the blade—develops a natural patina that protects the steel and gives the knife a traditional Japanese appearance.
Subtle round hammer marks from the hand-forging process remain visible, adding a beautiful rustic texture that also helps reduce food sticking to the blade. The kanji 登録 九佐吉作 ("registered work of Yoshida Smithy in Saga Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan") is chiseled onto the blade, certifying its authenticity.
BLACKSMITH:
Hand-forged at Yoshida Hamono in southern Japan—a family-run smithy with a long tradition of crafting katanas and fine tools. Renowned for their expertise with ZDP-189 steel, Yoshida Hamono creates each blade using time-honored techniques, lending a rustic, robust finish to every knife. See the photo story from our visit to their smithy.
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The knife is laminated, forged, and heat treated by the blacksmith in his small smithy in the south of Japan. The final finish has a touch of rusticity and robustness that comes with the purely handmade blade. Therefore, each piece is completely unique. |
Blade shape: Nakiri
Steel type: ZDP-189
Blade construction: Warikomi / hollow grind / kuro-uchi
Hardness (HRC scale): 65-67
Overall length: 274mm (10.8")
Blade length: 170mm (6.7")
Blade height: 52mm (2")
Spine thickness: 1.9mm (0.07")
Weight: 125g (4.4 oz)
Recommended handle size: M
Kanji on the blade:
Blacksmith: Yoshida Hamono
Location of the smithy: SAGA / Saga Prefecture / Japan
☝️ Japanese kitchen knives in our store are handmade from natural materials. Slight variations in color, texture, weight and other dimensions are possible. We try to give a good photographic representation of our products, however computer screen resolution and colors do vary, so products might not look exactly as they are seen on screen.
☝️ THIS KNIFE MAY DEVELOP PATINA
Knives made of carbon steels can, due to their low chromium (Cr) content, discolor and develop patina. The knife is the most sensitive when it is still new and a patina had not developed yet, but later, patina will protect the blade. These types of knives require a touch more care:
✔ Wipe it regularly with a clean and dry cloth (you can also do this during use).
✔ After use, rinse it with lukewarm water and wipe it dry.
✔ Coat it regularly with knife maintenance oil or plain refined sunflower oil.
✔ Store the knife by wrapping it in paper which will absorb moisture and protect the blade.
A patina is a thin layer that forms on the surface of oxidized steel and protects it from further oxidation. The patina should not be confused with rust. Patina protects the blade, while rust causes corrosion and deterioration of material, so it should be removed (see Rust erasers).
→ For in-depth information about patina, read our dedicated post on patina.
GENERAL KNIFE CARE TIPS:
Blade wear depends on the quality of steel, usage and maintenance of the blade. Japanese knives are made of high-quality steels. Follow these tips to keep your Japanese knife in top-notch shape:
✔ Use a wooden, plastic or rubber cutting board.
✔ After use, wash the knives and wipe them dry.
✔ For storage, use a knife holder or a protective knife sheath (saya).
✔ A good cutting technique is your best bet to prolong sharpness.
✔ Use sharpening stones to sharpen the knife.
❗️Don’t leave the knife in the sink. Wash it by hand.
❗️Don’t wash the knife in the dishwasher.
❗️Don’t use the knife on glass, ceramics, marble or steel surfaces.
❗️Don’t scrape the food off the cutting board with the edge of the blade. Use the spine of the knife instead.
❗️Knife is a tool intended for specific use - cutting food. It is not a can opener, screwdriver, trowel, wire cutter, hammer etc.
→ For more details, read our guide
on Maintenance of Kitchen Knives.
🤙 Contact us if you need some help. We reply within 1 business day.
SHIPPING RATES:
- €10 - flat worldwide rate with DHL Express (express delivery, 2-5 business days).
- FREE - all orders over €300 (DHL Express).
EXCEPTIONS:
- United Kingdom - shipping to UK costs €15. All orders are shipped with UPS Express (2-3 business days). Free shipping on orders over €300.
- Russia (currently not available) - shipping to Russia costs €40. All orders are shipped with EMS postal service.
DUTIES AND IMPORT TAXES:
We ship all orders DDP (duties & taxes paid). This means you will not be charged for any import fees and taxes (including VAT). All our prices are final. The price you see at checkout is the final price, no hidden costs.
DELIVERY TIME:
- Europe: 1-2 business days
- US & Canada: 2-4 business days
- Rest of the World: 3-5 business days
RETURNS:
Our return policy lasts 30 days. If more than 30 days have gone by since the day you received your order, unfortunately we can’t offer you a refund or exchange.
→ Read our SHIPPING & RETURNS policy for more info. We strive to solve any issues fast and with as little hassle for you. If you have some additional questions, please contact us.
Each knife comes with:
✔️ Instructions and knife care leaflet.
✔️ A preventive Band-Aid – the knives are very sharp! 😉
✔️ Original box from the blacksmith, which we wrap in an old Japanese newspaper sheet – so every knife is ready to be passed on as a gift as soon as it hits your doorstep!
✔️ We also offer a special gift wrapping option with the traditional Japanese washi paper.
Have you ever tried to match the individual handles and blades on our website to make your own custom knife?
Knife configurator
Now that’s a lot of options! It can be hard to visualize the end result and see whether the chosen handle and blade are a good match.
That’s why we’ve just launched the SharpEdge Configurator - a digital mix-and-match tool that you can use to assemble your very own custom knife!
Knife handles
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![Japanese handle - Snakewood / Blond Buffalo [octagonal]](http://sharpedgeshop.com/cdn/shop/files/Japanesehandle-Snakewood_BlondBuffalo_octagonal__530575391628_530575391629_530575391630_360x.jpg?v=1746439317)
![Japanese handle - Kyoto Sunset [octagon]_3](http://sharpedgeshop.com/cdn/shop/products/KyotoSunset_1_360x.jpg?v=1746439438)
![Handle fitting [service]_1](http://sharpedgeshop.com/cdn/shop/products/service_360x.png?v=1666343988)
Handle Fitting service
Add Handle Fitting service to your cart when you order a blade (knife without a handle) and a custom handle from us and want us to install the handle on the blade for you.
Quiz
Still doubting which type of Japanese knife should best fit your needs?
We created a 5-steps quiz to help you find the perfect knife based on your cooking skills and the type of food you prepare.
